In addition, Hermanns entered innocent pleas to first-degree burglary and second-degree assault for allegedly entering an occupied residence on Puff Lane in College Place five days earlier.

College Place police believe Hermanns and Contreras -- wearing masks over their faces -- entered the apartment of Dorothy Schneider at 204 S.E. Fourth about 10:55 p.m. April 3 while she was asleep on the couch and confronted her. Another woman, Cally Schneider, also was in the home and Contreras told her to sit down and not move or he would kill her, according to a police report filed in court.

Contreras, who allegedly displayed a knife, took Schneider's purse from her bedroom, officials said. Hermanns is suspected of going into the bathroom and stealing prescription medication.

The robbers then fled.

Officials later interviewed Contreras as a possible suspect and he admitted committing the home invasion with Hermanns, the police report says. Contreras reportedly told authorities that Hermanns was carrying a handgun in his waistband at the time.

Contreras also said Hermanns had admitted to him he burglarized an apartment on Puff Lane a few days earlier.

In that crime, Hermanns is suspected of donning a black ski mask, arming himself with a knife and entering the residence of Andy Porter at 1027 Puff Lane, Apt. H, about 9:45 p.m. March 29.

The burglar held the knife pointing down as he approached Porter at his dining room table, police said. Porter grabbed for the burglar's hand and suffered wounds to his own hand in the process. The burglar walked out of the apartment after Porter drew a revolver from his right pants pocket and pointed it at the intruder's chest.

Porter is a reporter for the Union-Bulletin.

Both suspects had been arrested previously on other matters.

Bail for the home invasions was set at $250,000 for Hermanns, who currently has no permanent address. Contreras, of 922 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, is being held on $100,000 bail.

Both have previous felony convictions. Hermanns also is facing unrelated charges that are pending in Superior Court.